An official was angered after news of his involvement in a corruption case and his allegations that the Buddha was corrupt, were reported on ABC Television and the "Janakranti" daily.
(Freedom Forum/IFEX) – 18 May 2011 – Keshab Raj Joshi, a reporter for ABC Television and the executive editor of the local “Janakranti” daily, was harassed and threatened by the Acting Chief of Livestock Quarantine, Prayag Raj Bhatta. The incident occurred on 15 May 2011, at Gaddachauki, in Kanchanpur, a western plain district of Nepal.
Bhatta insulted and threatened to kill Joshi when news of the official’s involvement in a corruption case and his remarks alleging that Gautama Buddha was corrupt, were disseminated through ABC Television and “Janakranti”. Bhatta threatened the journalist while a discussion was being held in the District Administration Office regarding the controversial remarks by Bhatta.
Freedom Forum expresses concern over the threats issued against the journalist in connection with a media story, and asks the local administration to safeguard Joshi’s well being. Freedom Forum condemned the official for targeting the journalist over his news story, rather than going through the proper legal channels if he believed that the report was not accurate.
